honorary

[ on-uh-rer-ee ]

adjective

1. given for honor only, without the usual requirements, duties, privileges, emoluments, etc.:

   The university presented the new governor with an honorary degree.

2. holding a title or position conferred for honor only:

   an honorary president.

3. (of an obligation) depending on one's honor for fulfillment.
4. conferring or commemorating honor or distinction.
5. given, made, or serving as a token of honor:

   an honorary gift.

honorary

/ ˈɒnrərɪ; ˈɒnərərɪ /

adjective

1. 1. (esp of a position, title, etc) held or given only as an honour, without the normal privileges or duties

      an honorary degree

   2. (of a secretary, treasurer, etc) unpaid
2. having such a position or title
3. depending on honour rather than legal agreement

Other Words From

• hon·or·ar·i·ly [on-, uh, -, rair, -, uh, -lee], adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of honorary¹

First recorded in 1605–15, honorary is from the Latin word honōrārius relating to honor. See honor, -ary

Example Sentences

Human rights activists have criticised an honorary knighthood given to King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa of Bahrain, who visited the UK earlier this week.

From BBC

The Honorary Canadian Consul in Northern Ireland Ken Brundle also laid a wreath during the ceremony in Irvinestown.

From BBC

Folt also cited “of special significance” her efforts to rectify the university’s checkered past on racial justice — offering honorary degrees to 33 Japanese Americans incarcerated during World War II who were denied the chance to continue their USC studies, stripping the name of eugenicist Rufus von KleinSmid from a prominent building and renaming it after Dr. Joseph Medicine Crow, a Native American leader, and honoring survivors of the Holocaust with a University Medallion.

From Los Angeles Times

“If She or He wants to become a Whitecaps fan, we’re going to give Him an honorary card of any group that He or She will enjoy.”

From Los Angeles Times

This year, Jones was set to receive an honorary Oscar from Academy’s Board of Governors for his contributions to the art of film.

From Salon

Related Words

• titular